It’s no secret that the Chicago canine flu has widely influenced many dog owners/lovers/supporters in the area. From the health risks to the dogs and their families to the daycare/boarding facilities affected, everyone is feeling the sting. But one area we feel is getting the least amount of attention is the impact on the rescue groups like ours and the city shelter.
For the dogs who don’t have someone to care for them individually, rescues like NLOL are desperate to help them. But ever since the flu was confirmed at Chicago’s largest animal shelter, each dog that we meet has a high risk of having been exposed to this vicious bug. That creates a double-ly hard issue.

For the City Shelter

To attempt a stop of spreading the flu, the city shelter has the following protocols in place:

-Volunteers are not allowed to walk or socialize the dogs, meaning they stay mostly contained in a 3x4 cage 24 hours a day.

-This containment can create the following issues:

-Hyperactivity

-Shut down

-Stress

-Personality changes

Additionally, these invaluable volunteers at the city shelter would spend time communicating each pups personality to the rescue community, allowing us to get a jump start on which dogs would be a good fit for our rescue. With the flu rampant, shelter volunteers are at a stand still and rescues must go in to gauge a dog solo-giving us on a very small snapshot of who they really are. Despite the best efforts of everyone involved, the saddest part? They are still leaving the shelter with the flu, needing a foster home that does not have other dogs in it for quarantine, or have so much pent up energy it takes a lot for them to adjust being outside of the cages.

For Rescue

To understand the challenges we face, this is the following timeline for bringing in a new pup to NLOL:

Ideal: our normal intake procedures go something like this: we pull a dog from the city shelter, then they go immediately to the vet and hang out for 3 days while they get vaccinated, spayed/neutered, microchipped, etc While there, we finalize a foster, assign an Adoption Counselor and gather all items needed for our new family member to be successful in their transition from where they come from In the background, we work on scheduling a time when the AC and the foster can meet the pup, usually dependent on lots of communication around work schedules, families, other dog meet and greets, etc.

The new normal: Our vet (like MANY city vets) is no longer allowing dogs to stay or be boarded for a VERY understandable fear of spreading the flu amongst patients. Our volunteers now have to pull a dog, wait in the waiting room for the dog to be checked out, and take them immediately to foster and once the dog is healthy, the dog can go back to the vet and be spayed/neutered.Not only is this a lot of behind the scenes teamwork and stress on an already taxed VOLUNTEER staff, but now that pup has had double the transition, exposure and upheaval…making this long days for everyone and every pup.

The Spiral Effect:

The strain of this flu is causing this on rescue, shelters and the ability to save them all:

-Foster homes and placement:

-Rescues need dogless foster homes for the pups pulled so that they won’t spread the dog flu to another canine in the house. Those fosters are few and far between. Adding in that some have building restrictions and specific needs for a foster pup, this pool narrows with every passing day.

-Fosters with other dogs are taking the risk of exposing their pups to this flu strain and not only putting lives in danger, but also taking a big risk on budget.

-Our daycare facilities are working hard to keep the flu at bay for their own clients, let alone rescues. We cannot risk their clientele or risk placing an unhealthy pup where it can’t be monitored one on one to assess any changes.

-Money:

-To do a SIMPLE flu treatment, it will cost a rescue between $150.00 and $500.00. IF that flu develops into pneumonia, it could cost a rescue between $500.00 and $1,200.00 PER DOG.*

-Dog Temperament:

-Between the lack of proper personality testing at the shelter from their volunteer and rescue coordinators, we are pulling pups with as much knowledge as we can gather in a short amount of time. While we rely on our expertise to help guide us in our new family members, this is not an ideal scenario for loads of reasons.

-The dog then faces massive transition. It begins with however they arrived at the shelter (stray, owner dump, etc) → no human interaction for XX amount of days →Rescue takes them to their vet →jostles them quick to a foster home → foster tries to get them healthy and adjusted → potential jostle AGAIN to a 2nd foster home so that we can utilize (and hopefully NOT BURN OUT) the 1st foster home while they take on another sick pup → re-acclimate that pup and then market them for adoption. If YOU had that much transition in the matter of a few weeks, how would YOU adjust?

-Human Stress:

-We have the very best team/family of volunteers, foster homes and passionate supporters. But the canine flu is putting stress on every single facet of this operation.

= Less dogs saved.

The heartache:

A few weeks ago, NLOL pulled 5 dogs, affectionately named the 'Big Bang Class' after some of our favorite characters from the show. We pulled them knowing that they all had flu exposure but we could not leave them behind. 4 days later, our sweet little snaggle-tooth love bug named Amy started showing signs of the flu. Amy had two funny front teeth that stuck out like elephant tusks on her tiny little body. Her personality and sass made her a favorite with her foster family. So, they rushed her to the vet’s office but it was too late. The flu caught ahold of her tired, compromised body and she passed away overnight at our vets office.

Amy is not the first lost to the canine flu because just days later, we heard about Larry - one of our own goofy, lovable and loved alumni who contracted the flu after his mom made existential efforts to keep him safe and healthy. He also passed away from complications just a few days later.

It doesn’t affect just the young, old or compromised dogs- we had another alum that is a young healthy male who also avoided the flu to the best efforts of his mama, when he was suddenly hit with the strain. He spent 5 days at the emergency vet trying to beat this sickness.

It was a very rough few weeks at NLOL. And we are left wondering, when will this end? Will this end? How do we change our practices to ensure the safety of all our dogs new and old? What can we do to stay the course??

How can you help?

Support your responsible rescues. Reach out to them and ask where you can be best used. Whether it be transporting pup from home to home, sitting at the vet while they get vetted, helping get them to foster, providing a home for a few days or a couple weeks, or financially donating to help offset the cost of saving them. It can be as simple as collecting plastic bags and newspapers to donate to the shelter for use. This is how we change the course of this current trajectory. Together.

Purchase your tickets in advance for our biggest celebration yet... the BIG 1-0! Limited amount of tickets available for general admission and VIP.
Can you believe we are in our double digits!? With over 600 dogs saved, hundreds of events, many many miles driven, fantastic fosters, amazing adopters and out of this world volunteers we have reached this huge milestone.

We hope you will help us celebrate in style at the amazing Chicago Party Animals venue. This place is a lofty, amazing location, fantastic views and the perfect spot for us to celebrate!

Back this year will be our fabulous Auction full of great restaurant gift certificates, concert tix, and more. Watch this space for donations as the list grows! Want to donate for our silent auction? Email lisa@nlolchicago.org

Join us for our “puppy shower” to help us reach our goal to save a pregnant pooch from CACC. $10 donation gets you unlimited arcade games while, also helping us reach our goal to help save a pregnant pooch from CACC. A percantage ofproceeds from the bar will also be donated. Food, games, raffles and good company - Who can beat that?

You often times hear us say that our dogs and adopters are like family to us. No happy ending exemplifies that more than this one. When we took Spock foster-to-adopt with former adopters (who had recently lost their beloved NL alum Nikko) we knew he was going to a loving home and we were excited to see if it was a good fit. Oh boy was it! Spock (now Bowie) fits right into their family and according to his momma, "brings so much life, love and laughter into our home!"
In addition to adopting Bowie, they also also held a fundraiser at Localized, NFP this past weekend to help support New Leash on Life as a fitting celebration of Nikko's life!

We are beyond thrilled Bowie (and his ears, swoon!) found his way into their lives and so grateful for their support! Happy tails Bowie, enjoy your new life and your wonderful new family!

Introducing Planned Puppyhood 2015!
As part of our 10 year anniversary, we are excited to announce a newproject, Planned Puppyhood. Every spring there is an influx in pregnant dogs found stray and surrendered to Chicago Animal Care & Control (CACC). Rescuing a mother and her litter takes significant financial resources and is a serious time commitment, and as a small rescue we want to plan responsibly. With the assistance of our extended network of volunteers, fosters and supporters, our goal is to raise $10,000 in advance so that we can cover the medical costs and vetting for a mother dog and her litter.

To meet these goals, we'll be hosting a puppy shower, having an online supply drive and other exciting events to get ready for our litter! Help spread the word by sharing this newsletter with a friend or business you know who might be interested in supporting Planned Puppyhood.

Sponsors are vital to helping us provide basic medical care for the puppies and their mother. A $500 sponsorship (6 available) will cover the cost of routine puppy boosters, parasite testing and treatment, heart worm preventative, and a spay or neuter for one puppy. $1,000 sponsorships (3 available) will help cover the medical costs for the mother as well as routine vetting, and provide additional resources for emergency medical expenses such as cesarean section, pneumonia, and/or parvovirus. All sponsorships will be matched up to $5,000 doubling your contribution!
Planned Puppyhood Sponsorship Levels

Puppy Parent - $500

Want all the joys of being a parent, well, a puppy parent, without getting up three times in the night, or making multiple trips outside? You can be a proud puppy parent by making a $500 donation to sponsor a puppy, and will receive the following in appreciation:

Name a puppy!*

Receive a special Puppy Parent's Day package on Mother's Day

Includes "art" created by your sponsored puppy

Receive a weekly update (until the puppies are weaned) on your puppy so you can watch them grow!

Special "I Supported Planned Puppyhood 2015" T-Shirt

Recognition on our Facebook Page and in Newsletters announcing the puppies birth and adoptions.

Puppy Grandparent - $1000.00

We all know what a special role grandparents play, spoiling and doting on their grandchildren, and whether you are young at heart or an old soul you can be a Puppy Grandparent! Puppy Grandparent's will receive the following in appreciation?

Name a puppy!*

Receive a special Puppy Parent's Day package on Mother's Day

Includes "art" created by your sponsored puppy

Receive a weekly update (until the puppies are weaned) on your puppy so you can watch them grow!

Two special "I Supported Planned Puppyhood 2015" T-Shirts

NewLeash on Life Hoodie

Recognition including company logo on our Facebook Page and in Newsletters announcing the puppies birth and adoptions.

Logo and/or Company name included in promotional materials for 3 scheduled puppy fundraisers

Attend a photo shoot with the puppies and get your own puppy pile portrait!**

*Should there be fewer puppies than available sponsorships, sponsors will be given the opportunity to name another puppy rescued from the CACC. Get your sponsorships in early!

**Portraits will be taken when puppies are 4-6 weeks of age. Sponsors will be given a choice of three dates made available by our photographers.

Frank the "Tank" was found by Chicago Police tied up in an abandoned apartment building lot. He was given a second chance when he was spotted by shelter volunteers that fought hard for his rescue! His gentle nature, soulful eyes and 10lb head were hard to pass up!
Frank is now officially adopted into a wonderful family that has given him the loving and warm home that he deserves. Thank you to Elizabeth, Mark, Paige, Tori and his 3 kitty siblings for seeing Frank and knowing he would fit right into their family! Frank also gets to hang out at the stables meeting animals with even bigger heads than him!

Frank will always have a special place in the New Leash Family! We absolutely adore him and are so grateful for his new family. Here's to a long happy life Frank! Congratulations! You hit the family Jackpot!

New Leash On Life - Chicago is thrilled to announce an an exciting partnership with Whole Foods Market West Loop!
On Friday, March 27th (to celebrate the store's opening week), 1% of Whole Foods West Loop’s (1 N. Halsted in Chicago) net profits would go directly to New Leash on Life in effort to help us rescue more dogs!

That means you can combine two of the things that you (and we) love most-rescue dogs and food! Come stock up on goodies and support New Leash on Life. We will be there from 11 am - 1 pm and 5 pm -7 pm. so stop by and say hi!

100% of the proceeds from the Whole Foods Community Giving Day will help us save more dogs. We hope to see you there!

We would like to take a minute to announce the formation of an exciting endeavor, the Chicago Community Pet Coalition (CCPC).One Tail at a Time, Alive Rescue, and New Leash On Life - Chicago have joined forces to create this special coalition, our mission: to decrease the number of pets given up by their owners due to financial hardship and to increase the health and well-being of Chicago pets. All three of these Chicago-based rescues have special skills and talents which when combined create a tri-factor of awesomeness… think the Avengers of dog rescue.
CCPC will be hosting a series of local, grassroots, Community Pet Days throughout the city of Chicago over the next year in recognition of the fact that that responsible pet ownership can present some financial challenges along with the joy animals provide. At each event, CCPC, will provide services such as free vaccines, spay/neuter vouchers, flea/tick medication, micro-chipping, safe leashes and collars, positive reinforcement training advice, a dog food bank and more.

Fostering changes lives
At New Leash on Life - Chicago, foster parents are essential to the work we do.

See:

Definition: es·sen·tial [uh-sen-shuhl]
-absolutely necessary; indispensable: pertaining to or constituting the essence of a thing.

Since NLOL Chicago does not have a physical facility, the dogs that we bring into our rescue typically stay in foster homes. Why is a foster home so important? A foster home offers stability for a pup who's world has been upside down. They help give them a routine and give someone to trust. They provide NLOL with feedback on items like their behaviors, likes and dislikes, favorite place to be scratched...the important things.

Foster parents help to make these lucky pups adoptable and we could not do what we do without them. In return for their intel, we provide everything needed to be successful-food, toys, crates, training...just to name a few.

But don't take our word for it. Hear what these current NLOL foster parents have to say.

https://vimeo.com/91007448

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent with New Leash on Life, visit our fostering page for more information.

*Credit goes to Loyola University Chicago in the Communications department.

Several months ago, one of our volunteers watched in horror as a van rolled over a dog and drove off. Being the awesome New Leasher that she is, this volunteer acted quickly and brought this stray to our vets for intensive treatment.
We were thrilled when Bo made a seemingly full recovery. Once we got him out of the vet and in to a loving foster home, Bo's personality totally changed. This 9 month old guy is a total goofball, a lover of toys, and a great companion for his human friends. We were so happy to make him officially one of our New Leash on Life dogs.

Throughout Bo's journey from critical condition to adoption event star, we have been committed to providing him with the medical attention that he has required. After his accident, Bo could not put weight on to his front legs. But with vigilant treatment and therapy, Bo seemingly made a full recovery.

As time has passed and his scarred face has healed, we were dismayed to see that while his right leg improved, his left front leg has continually bothered him. With the help of our specialists, we determined that the radial nerve damage is too much for this active and lively pup. Because of this, he continues to injure his injured leg by favoring and overdeveloping the muscles in his other legs. After multiple and lengthy discussions with all parties involved, it was decided that Bo would require amputation of his left leg in order to give him the best quality of life.

Bo's journey will not be made on the traditional four legs. Instead, this guy will be going his own way on three strong and healthy ones. His lack of a limb will be tangible proof that he is a survivor. He is a shining example that anything can happen with the right people, a lot of love, and a whole bunch of determination.

New Leash will be supporting Bo through it all- including the costly medical procedures and therapy . As a 100% volunteer run nonprofit, we ask that you considering donating to our cause. Whether it is good wishes or monetary support, you can help us make Bo's journey to a forever home happen today.

While we love having a good time, we think the best part of a New Leash event is reconnecting with our friends, family, and supporters. We especially LOVE to hear a good "happy tails" story! So of course I was thrilled when we heard from my favorite alumni/heart throb: ELVIS!

When NLOL Chicago found and rescued the handsome Elvis (formerly known as Bates), I was instantly smitten! This pup was the perfect mix of sweetness and spunk. He loved dogs just as much as he adored people, and his fan base grew and grew as the weeks passed.

But it wasn't long till he was spotted by the perfect, cocker spaniel family! Vicki and her husband had been huge fans of the dogs since their first family pups, and their current spaniel Annie was looking for a brother to join the pack. Elvis fit right in! He loved the big yard his suburban home provided, learned the ropes from his loving doggie sister, and became the apple of his parent's eyes in only a matter of two weeks. Elvis didn't need to leave the building anymore- he had found his forever home.

Elvis's NLOL name was given to us by an amazing guy named Brian. Brian has been a generous and awesome supporter of New Leash on Life Chicago for years. This week, Brian is challenging us to raise $2500 to our St. Puppy's Day match campaign. We've been overwhelmed by the support we've gotten over the last couple of days, and we are still hoping to make Brian's vision come true. All of our monetary support goes 100% to saving more dogs and providing them with the necessary (yet costly) medical, emotional, and physical care that they need. Please consider supporting us with a donation today so we can find a warm bed and a loving family for all those homeless "hound dogs!"

One of the best things about our New Leash community is that we are a huge family – a family of dog lovers, supporters, adopters, admirers; a fam

ily of people wanting to make a difference in the world one dog at a time. This St. Patrick’s Day, we are reaching out to our family to help us continue to make a difference – with a little bit of luck.

You see, it was a little bit of luck that brought Brian into a pet store where he saw one of our NLOL pups for the first time. At least, we believe it was luck, because he soon became part of our family through his passion to save “just one more” homeless dog. The story behind his passion can be found here, on our blog. The road has been long and full of both love and loss for Brian – but today, he wants to create a little luck for more homeless dogs.

Brian has offered to donate $2500 to New Leash on Life―Chicago if we can raise the same amount by St. Patrick’s Day (Sunday, March 17). That means that your donation can go doubly far to help New Leash on Life rescue more lucky dogs! No amount is too small; every single penny will help.

As a double bonus, we’ve having a bar party to celebrate! After all, what’s St. Paddy’s Day without a pint? Join us at Irish Eyes on Lincoln on Wednesday, March 13 from 7-10 p.m. All tips earned by our volunteer guest bartenders will be donated to NLOL! To sweeten this pot of gold, we’ll also have live Irish music music by Brendan Diamond(NLOL foster dad and adopter extraordinaire), a raffle, and NLOL merchandise for sale! All this will benefit the little people who need it the most: no, not the leprechauns – the pups!

Springtime is usually the time when the number of homeless dogs swell, leaving the dogs at risk of starvation, malnutrition, and, in many cases, euthanasia. Your donation will help us find many more pups to give them a new chance at love and a new leash on life. Please consider donating today.

He approached NLOL with this offer and when we asked what he would say to those donating, he answered.

NLOL: Why are you so passionate about rescue?

Brian: 13 years ago, my late partner, Frank, and I met a woman who had rescued a yellow lab Gus. We fell in love with Gus and adopted him on the spot. He's really the one that changed us forever in regards to our respect for rescue. It was through his rescuer, Appi, that we learned about all of the dogs and cats that never get homes and have such sad lives and endings. My partner, Frank died suddenly in Aug 2011 and Gus was there with me thru that incredible loss.

At that time, Gus himself was suffering from lung cancer. We weren't fortunate to beat it with multiple rounds of chemo but Gussie was a good sport thru it all and never, ever lost his loving, kind nature.

After getting me through Frank's passing and into the new spring, Gussie left me to join Frank and our other babies. When I woke up the next morning, I couldn't bear the silence in the house and started looking around. I found Gino (my Dachshund) through a rescue. I quickly decided he needed a buddy and Mack (my Labrador) came next. So the story continues.

NLOL: What advice would you give to someone trying to make a difference?

Brian: Please try to adopt and if you can't adopt, then foster. If you can't foster, contribute your time or resources to the many organizations like NLOL so that they can help you make a difference. We are all part of a bigger plan and any giving makes the entire enterprise work. You'll feel great, you'll feel appreciated, and you'll know that your kindness meant that at least one beautiful pet had a happy ending.

Some intake coordinators went to aCC before xmas to pull 1 small dog. A foster family had stepped up and we could place during their time off from work over the holidays. We jumped at the chance and headed down. All the other foster families were full and we could only pull one. We knew this.

Typcially when we head to ACC, we walk the rows, we greet each dog- give them a treat and gage them. We remember who stood out in our minds and then we revisit. This night was quite different. We started walking the rows and our typically emotionless coordinator stood widemouth and speechless at what she saw before her. She had the other coordinator come over and both stood there just watching as what was before them. They read the cage card and saw that the two dogs infront of them were owner give ups the day before. The good news- because they were owner give ups- the two dogs didn't have to wait the stray hold and could leave immedately. The bad news- the dogs were noted at 18 years and 10 years....often there are mistakes when noting the ages- but it was still a concern.

We knew we could only take one, but how do you determine which dog to go and which to stay. After roughly 6 hours debating, calling the board, calling vets and groomers and talking with the onsite head vet- we took both. We knew that it was going to be expensive and we knew there was a good chance one might die, but sometimes in rescue- it's not about finding the perfect family as it is making sure the dog is safe, comfortable and cared for.

We named the pair: JAckFrost and Chestnut. AFter further evaluation- we deteremined that Jackfrost is probably 8-10years old and Chestnut is probably 2-4 years old. Chestnut has an adorable underbite and while she was matted- she wasn't anything near as bad as her brother. It appeared that chestnut had never been on a leash and she had anxiety in her crate- literally chewing on the bars at ACC.

JackFrost was shut down- his little tiny frame was supporting so much weight from mats, we couldn't even get a good look at his face. Let alone love him or touch him. As we debated in the hallways, volunteers came up to us and burst out crying over the horrific nature of JackFrost.

He was heavily mattted, a mat this bad he had to of been caged in a small pen his entire life. Mats grew under his feet and he walks funny, he's a little bowlegged from his legs sticking out from the mats and there were feces all on his hind legs that the mats grew around and through. His teeth were horrible and he had a heart murmur... All signs were against him.

The first thing that was done fore both of them was medical groom. It took hours and extended into days with Jackfrost. While he was great being groomed- the sissors can only cut through so much mat before they overheat and because the mats were so severe, they had to cut very very close to the skin and thus had to be extra delicate. Chestnut was a bit more rough in her groom and after all the mats were cut off and she was thoughly washed- we called a truce and she left a little ragged looking but happy as a clam.

When JF was picked up- we didn't recognaize him, besides his tongue falling out of his mouth. Because of the severity of his murmur he wasn't put under for anything and was just groomed...off his 7lb frame- they took off roughly 4lbs of mats. 2lbs came off his head alone and we think the weight was actually more. JF was put on medication for tooth decay to see if it was linked to his murmur. After going back, we decided that his teeth would only get worse and tooth decay would lead to organ failure- so him being put under and having his teeth cleaned and pulled was needed. On a risk- we put him under and had him cleaned up and microchipped. He survived and is thriving in foster home.

Little Miss Wendy found her way into New Leash on Life. This 2 year old Chihuahua/ Papillon mix is so sweet and lovely, we couldn't pass her up. She was grabbed by our intake directors with some big dogs, but she wasn't scared. She is so great and sweet that she has won everyone over.

Wendy has quite the personality, and although she is a smaller breed, she isn't yappy or too barky. She is quite simply, a very easy dog. Wendy was just officially adopted and enjoys socializing with other dogs. Congratulations Wendy! We are so thrilled for you!!

Annie wasn't single for long. This skinny brindle boxer came to us and before she was officially 'on the market' looking for her new family. Her forever dad swooped in a scooped her up. She is now the reciever of 8 little hands giving her tons of love and attention.

Annie is now Devo and she is looking stunning with some weight added on. She is starting to put on the weight from her too skinny former days and her true beauty is radiating. We are so happy for you Devo & family!!

This past Saturday, our intake directors were busy picking dogs from Animal Care and Control to add to the New Leash family. They picked up 5 and all currently have foster homes once the vet releases them.For more information on each dog, please click their picture and it will transfer you to their biography.
Introducing: